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Prepared with lots of cheese and tender broccoli, this lightened-up Broccoli Cheese Veggie Dip is cheesy, warm, and creamy!
What’s up, pals!!! Happy weekend! I am chillin’ at a McD’s Playplace at the moment and having a cup of McD’s latte…I’m also people-watching and the dude next to my table just offered me his fries. Kind people are awesome.
In other news, this dip is my life right now. That is, my life on game days. The textures, the flavors, and the perfect amount of broccoli and cheese…
However, while you are watching THAT game, I’m sitting over here dippin’ my broccoli and watching Macedonia play in the World Men’s Handball Championship!
I, uhh, did you just ask what Handball is!?! How dare you!! 😉
Well, for now, it’s my addiction. Also? It’s similar to basketball, but instead of a basket, there’s a net, similar to a soccer net. Thus, it’s like soccer + basketball in one.
OK, not really, but almost.
Maybe.
So our veggie dip here was born out of pure necessity. To save ourselves from biting off our fingers during an intense game between Macedonia and Bosnia, a dip, veggies and chips saved the day. And our fingers.
Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheese Dip
A lightened up broccoli cheese dip is a healthier version of the classic cheese dip that is often made with heavy cream, butter, and full-fat cheese. To lighten up the recipe, you can use lower-fat milk or yogurt in place of the heavy cream, and opt for reduced-fat cream cheese. You can also add more broccoli to the dip, which is what I did, to increase the volume and make it more nutritious.
Other ingredients that you might include in a lightened-up broccoli cheese dip include minced garlic, onion, and a variety of herbs and spices for flavor. You can serve the dip warm, with crackers, bread, or vegetables for dipping.
Oh my gosh, you guys. WHY did I wait this long to add broccoli to my cheese DIP?! I mean, I add broccoli to my Shells and CHEESE, so I should have figured it out by now, you know? Duh.
Just to be clear. Dipping broccoli into a broccoli dip is totally fine. Don’t listen to my other half. He snorted when he saw my veggie tray overflowing with broccoli. I’m just a broccoli-fiend and won’t deny it. If you so happen to love your chips more than anything else, dip your chip. I ain’t gonna tell. Nor judge.
Carry on, weekend warriors! Have fun, be safe and see you tomorrow!
ENJOY!
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Broccoli Cheese Veggie Dip
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 package (8 ounces) 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
- ¼ cup Olive Oil Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 cups various shredded cheeses,, I used mozzarella, mild cheddar, and Monterey jack
- 2 cloves garlic
- salt and fresh ground pepper,, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese,, for topping
Vegetables For Serving:
- cherry tomatoes
- baby bell peppers
- broccoli florets
- baby carrots
- cauliflower florets
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Add water in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Add broccoli to boiling water and cover.
- Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until just tender.
- Drain and run cold water over broccoli for 1 minute or until cooled.
- In a blender, combine the cooked broccoli, cream cheese, mayo, milk, 1/2 cup shredded cheeses, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper.
- Process until well blended and smooth.
- Transfer mixture to a 1-quart baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let stand about 5 minutes.
- Serve with veggies for dipping.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I’m a broccoli fiend as well so there’s no such thing as too much broccoli in my book!
I could definitely polish off a large bowl of this delicious dip right now.. along with a good crusty bread and glass of wine!
i love the broccoli and cheese combo and I love dips so I am making this!
Funny, I was driving home an hour ago from a birthday party and I discovered a McDonalds with a play place not too far from me and thought what a good idea to bring my toddler here-no joke!
Hi Deanna!! Happy New Year!!
Well, I wanted to just grab a spoon and go at it! 😀 But, I didn’t. DAMN! 😉
So, I took the little ones to that Playplace for a bday party and they loved it. I try to keep them away from McD’s and such, but not sure for how much longer I will be able to do that because so many of our friends either call us for playdates at McD’s or bday parties… :-/
Happy New Year’s to you as well! I hear ya on keeping them away from McDonald’s my parents swear it’s not the end of the world if we take them there-don’t know what is with grandparents and taking grandkids there-nostalgia I guess 🙂 I figure while the weather is crummy it’s one more place to let them burn off energy lol.
Bookmarking this recipe-thanks for sharing!
I already have visions of myself hoarding all of this to myself and eating it as a meal.
This looks awesome. It would be a great addition to any Super Bowl party buffet. We are kicking off a Snacks for Super Bowl XLIX party. I hope you can run on over and share this.
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/snacks-for-super-bowl-xlix/
I’m a broccoli field, too. I’d totally dip tons of broccoli in this dip. Also, you’re a better person than me. I can’t handle playplaces.